Connor's Coat Collection

Every year, I make a list of what I would like my family and friends to give me for Christmas. Around Thanksgiving, my mom informed me that my relatives were asking her what was on my list this year. But for the first time in 18 years I couldn't think of one thing that I wanted.

Last summer I did volunteer work with Uncle Pete's Ministry. This non-profit organization collects sack lunches and delivers them to homeless shelters in Chicago. Knocking on the tents of the homeless helped to broaden my views on what the world outside of Park Ridge was like. It was quite humbling to see how others live. Underneath the Lake Shore Drive viaducts, hundreds of people call tents, rags, and plastic chairs their home. They are not making Christmas lists this year, they are struggling to obtain basic necessities. When you’re cold at night in your 70 degree house you just toss on another blanket. But imagine if you were sleeping outside and had nowhere warm to turn to. The idea of this sparked me to want to give back to the people who need it the most, in the city I call home.

I will be collecting slightly used winter clothes to pass out to the homeless living outside in the frigid Chicago temperatures. This includes gloves, coats, scarfs, and blankets. If you do not have any of what I previously stated, I created this GoFundMe page to raise enough money to buy warm clothes and McDonalds gift cards for those in need. If you wish to make any donations of these winter items please email me at [email redacted] to arrange a pickup or drop off option. Any type of donation is greatly appreciated.


Thank you for your support,

Connor Buggy